Cable News Ratings: CNN Leads Early Manhunt Coverage

2.7 Million Viewers Watched Across Three Nets as Suspects Caused Chaos in Boston4/19/2013 12:13 PM Eastern

By: Andrea Morabito (Broadcasting & Cable)

As a shootout left one suspect in the Boston marathon bombings dead and another at large early Friday morning, viewers flocked to cable news for developing information, according to Nielsen ratings for April 19.

CNN, which was the first to break in at 1:13 a.m. ET, was the most-watched at the hour, drawing 1.217 million total viewers and 474,000 in the adults 25-54 demo. Fox News, which broke in at 1:24 a.m. averaged 951,000 viewers and 356,000 in the demo. MSNBC began coverage at 1:32 a.m. and saw 504,000 total viewers and 159,000 adults 25-54.

Viewing tapered off a little in the 2-3 a.m. hour, but CNN kept its lead in both total viewers and demo measures (986,000/419,000) to Fox News (954,000/392,000) and MSNBC (392,000/130,000).